Professor Mark Ormerod, Keele's Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost and strategic lead for sustainability, has been invited to be a member of UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) new cross-Research Council Environmental Sustainability Advisory Group.

The new Advisory Group draws its membership from sustainability leaders from industry, public and NGO sectors with a track record of delivery of best and leading practice in environmental sustainability in an organisational context. Professor Ormerod is one of four university members of the group.

The group will provide independent strategic direction and challenge for UKRI to deliver its ambitious Environmental Sustainability Strategy, which was launched in April 2020 to embed environmental sustainability into all its activities both as a funder and deliverer of Research and Innovation, and directly contribute to the way UKRI uses its influence as a funder on the wider UK and international research and innovation landscape.

The group will provide advice on the pathway to achieving net zero targets and approaches to offsetting, policies to improve the sustainability of the research UKRI funds, and best practice on driving behavioural changes to deliver positive environmental impact.

Professor Ormerod said: "I’m delighted to have been asked to be a member of this Advisory Group as UKRI seeks to deliver its ambitious and important Environmental Sustainability Strategy across its research and innovation portfolio.

"The invitation reflects Keele University’s profile as a sector leader in delivering best practice in environmental sustainability in an organisational context. I’m really looking forward to coming together and working with sustainability leaders from industry and from public and NGO sectors on the Advisory Group."